WHAT TYPES OF MESOTHELIOMA COMPENSATION Are Available to Victims?
Asbestos is a well-known hazard now, but it wasn’t several decades ago. Exposure to asbestos, even if it was many years ago, puts you at increased risk of lung disease. Asbestos-related conditions include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Of the three, mesothelioma is the most aggressive — and deadly. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which occurs and develops in the thin layer of tissue called mesothelium that covers your internal organs. It often affects the tissue around the lungs. Common signs of this disease include chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. By the time most mesothelioma patients go to the doctor, it’s too late. Many folks who are diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos years ago on the job, and they didn’t know. Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Mesothelioma victims and their families filed several lawsuits. To this day, there are thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits pending across the country. In
mesothelioma claims, there are at least three avenues to compensation: asbestos trust fund claims, settlements, and lawsuit verdicts. An attorney can help figure out which ones you qualify for. Asbestos Trust Funds Bankrupt asbestos companies created asbestos trust funds. These funds provide compensation for current and future claims. In order to be eligible to file an asbestos trust fund claim, an individual must identify when they were exposed to asbestos by a corporation and when they developed an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. Mesothelioma Settlements Mesothelioma settlements happen when the asbestos defendant offers compensation to the plaintiff to resolve the claim. Most of the time, companies will offer to settle the claim before trial. Mesothelioma Lawsuits Mesothelioma claims can resolve at trial as well. After the trial has concluded, a jury determines liability and awards the plaintiff damages. The amount awarded is
decided by economic and noneconomic losses suffered by the plaintiff.
Economic damages include past and future lost wages as well as past and future medical bills. Noneconomic damages are intangible. They include compensation for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of a normal life. The jury may also award punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant for their reckless behavior. Other Mesothelioma Claims Mesothelioma patients and their families may also be eligible for other types of compensation, including workers’ compensation claims and veteran’s claims. Want to learn more about the history of asbestos in the United States? Get a free copy of my book on
the topic by texting “MESO KILLERS” to 312-847-2428.
– Joe Shannon
Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar, The ABC’s of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Claims in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Lead vaccine injury attorney Jonathan Svitak discussed how shoulder injuries from vaccines happen and what people with SIRVA can do to pursue a successful claim in the VICP. Did you miss it? Don’t worry, you can watch it on our YouTube channel. Scan the QR code on this page to get started. NOW AVAILABLE: THE ABC’S OF SIRVA CLAIMS IN THE VICP WEBINAR
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